📱 Steve Jobs: Innovator, leader, enigma. The truth about the man behind Apple!

Summary

This video script tells the story of Steve Jobs, from his adoption and childhood in Silicon Valley to co-founding Apple and its revolutionary products. It explores his complex personality, his ousting from Apple, his return, and the impact of his vision and perfectionism on technology and culture. The script also discusses his personal life, health struggles, and the legacy he left behind, sparking a reflection on the price of success and the essence of genius.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steve Jobs was known for his visionary leadership and marketing genius, shaping the future of technology.
• 👶 Born to unwed graduate students, Jobs was adopted and raised in a loving, working-class family in Silicon Valley.
• 🏫 Early on, Jobs showed a knack for technology and was influenced by his adoptive father's mechanical prowess.
• 🎓 Jobs dropped out of Reed College but continued to audit classes that interested him, including a calligraphy course that later influenced Macintosh design.
• 💡 Alongside Steve Wozniak, Jobs founded Apple in his parents' garage, starting with the Apple I computer board.
• 📈 Apple's success with the Apple II and the IPO in 1980 made Jobs a multimillionaire at the age of 25.
• 💻 The Macintosh, introduced in 1984, was a landmark product with a graphical interface and mouse, despite its high price and initial sales struggles.
• 🔥 Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985 after a power struggle with then-CEO John Sculley.
• 🌟 After leaving Apple, Jobs founded NeXT Computer and bought what would become Pixar, contributing to the World Wide Web's development and revolutionizing animation.
• 📱 Upon returning to Apple in 1997, Jobs led the company to new heights with products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
• 💼 Jobs was known for his demanding management style, pushing for perfection and often clashing with colleagues.
• 💔 Jobs faced personal challenges, including denying paternity of his first child and struggling with health issues, including a rare form of pancreatic cancer.
• 🌐 Jobs' influence extended beyond technology to culture, with Apple becoming a symbol of lifestyle and innovation.
• 📈 His approach to business emphasized focus, user experience, interdisciplinary innovation, and passion for one's work.

Q & A

What significant event took place at the Moscone Center in 2007?

In 2007, Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone at the Moscone Center, an event that marked a pivotal moment in the history of smartphones.

How did Steve Jobs' upbringing in Silicon Valley influence his interest in technology?

Steve Jobs grew up in Silicon Valley, an environment rich with engineers and technicians working on cutting-edge electronics. This setting, coupled with his father's work as a mechanic and carpenter, nurtured Jobs' love for technology and design.

What was the impact of Steve Jobs' adoption on his personal identity?

Steve Jobs' adoption played a significant role in shaping his identity. He was aware of his adoption from an early age, which instilled in him a sense of 'otherness' and some alienation, but also a feeling of being 'special' and 'chosen' by his adoptive parents.

How did Steve Jobs' early experience with electronics and pranks with Steve Wozniak foreshadow their future collaboration?

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak bonded over their shared passion for electronics and pranks, which led to their first joint venture of selling 'blue boxes' to make free long-distance calls. This early partnership laid the groundwork for their future collaboration in founding Apple.

What was the significance of the Apple I and how did it come to be?

The Apple I was significant as it was Apple's first product, essentially a computer board that buyers had to assemble themselves. The idea to create the Apple I emerged after Wozniak demonstrated his creation at the Homebrew Computer Club, and Jobs recognized its commercial potential.

How did the Apple II revolutionize the personal computer market?

The Apple II was the first personal computer in an elegant plastic case with color graphics. It was the first fully assembled personal computer with a color display, a built-in keyboard, and could be connected to a regular TV. Its innovations and ease of use made Apple the industry leader.

What factors contributed to Steve Jobs' ousting from Apple in 1985?

Steve Jobs was ousted from Apple due to growing disagreements with then-CEO John Sculley and the board of directors over the company's direction, particularly in response to falling Macintosh sales and Apple's deteriorating financial position.

How did Steve Jobs' return to Apple in 1997 signal a new era for the company?

Steve Jobs' return to Apple marked the beginning of a new era as he carried out a radical restructuring, canceling most projects to focus on creating innovative products like the iMac, which helped restore Apple's financial position.

What was the initial public perception of the iPad when it was introduced in 2010?

The iPad faced initial skepticism, with many comparing it to a large iPhone. However, it quickly gained popularity and created a new product category, demonstrating Apple's ability to create products that find mass acceptance.

How did Steve Jobs' management style affect his relationships with employees and partners?

Steve Jobs was known for his quick temper and harsh management style, which led to strained relationships with employees and partners. His perfectionism often resulted in harsh demands and public humiliation, though this approach also yielded innovative and successful products.

What was the nature of Steve Jobs' relationship with his daughter Lisa, and how did it evolve over time?

Steve Jobs initially denied paternity of his daughter Lisa for several years. However, later in life, he acknowledged his paternity, became more involved in her life, and they developed a relationship, with Lisa even living with Jobs' family during her teenage years.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introduction to Steve Jobs and Apple's Revolution

The script opens with a vivid description of 2007 San Francisco, where anticipation for an Apple event is palpable. Steve Jobs, clad in his signature black turtleneck, introduces a device that will revolutionize communication: the iPhone. This moment is a culmination of Jobs' journey from a boy given up for adoption to becoming a titan in the tech industry. The narrative promises to delve into Jobs' life, from his upbringing in a working-class family to his shaping of Apple, his ousting and return, and the complexities of his personality. It raises questions about the costs of success and the nature of genius.

05:04

👶 Early Life and the Founding of Apple

Steve Jobs was born in 1955 to unwed student parents who put him up for adoption. His adoptive parents, Paul and Clara Jobs, promised to provide him with a college education, a pledge that significantly influenced his future. Growing up in the burgeoning Silicon Valley, young Steve developed a passion for technology, encouraged by his father's mechanical prowess. Despite feeling like an outsider, Jobs' intellectual curiosity was ignited by his fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Hill. His teenage years saw him and Steve Wozniak engage in electronics, leading to their first business venture selling 'blue boxes.' Jobs' college experience at Reed College was short-lived due to cost, but it was there he discovered a love for calligraphy, which later influenced Macintosh's font design. His experiences with LSD and Zen Buddhism expanded his worldview and influenced his approach to life and business.

10:06

💼 The Apple Era and the Macintosh

In 1976, Jobs and Wozniak founded Apple Computer, starting with the Apple I and later the revolutionary Apple II, which was the first personal computer with color graphics and a user-friendly design. Apple's success led to an IPO in 1980, making Jobs a millionaire. However, his demanding management style and perfectionism led to conflicts, notably with CEO John Sculley, which culminated in Jobs' ouster from Apple in 1985. This period highlighted Jobs' complex character, his ability to inspire and his ruthless business tactics.

15:08

🚀 Post-Apple Ventures and Return

After leaving Apple, Jobs founded NeXT Computer, focusing on high-end workstations, and bought the graphics division from Lucasfilm, which became Pixar. Despite NeXT's commercial struggles, it influenced the development of the World Wide Web. Pixar found success with 'Toy Story' and other animated films, making Jobs a billionaire. Meanwhile, Apple's fortunes dwindled, and in 1997, they acquired NeXT, bringing Jobs back as CEO. He restructured Apple, focusing on innovation and launching the iMac, which revitalized the company.

20:10

📱 The iPod, iPhone, and iPad Revolutions

Jobs led Apple through a series of groundbreaking product launches, starting with the iPod and iTunes Store in 2001 and 2003, respectively, which transformed the music industry. The iPhone, introduced in 2007, was a convergence of a mobile phone, music player, and internet device with a revolutionary touch interface. Despite borrowing from existing technologies, Apple's execution created a new market standard. The iPad, introduced in 2010, created a new product category despite initial skepticism. Jobs' ability to integrate and market existing ideas into successful products was unparalleled.

25:14

🌟 Personal Life, Health, and Legacy

Jobs' personal life was as tumultuous as his career. He initially denied paternity of his daughter Lisa but later acknowledged her. He married Laurene Powell in 1991, and they had three children. Despite his public success, Jobs was private about his family. His health declined with a rare form of pancreatic cancer, and his alternative treatment choices may have worsened his prognosis. He continued to work passionately until his resignation as CEO in 2011. Jobs passed away in 2011, leaving a legacy of innovation and a changed perception of technology.

📈 Lessons from Steve Jobs' Life

The script concludes by reflecting on the lessons from Jobs' life: the importance of focus, user experience, interdisciplinary approach, and passion. It invites viewers to consider Jobs' impact on technology and culture, his management style, and the influence of his childhood and personal traits on his success. It also asks viewers to contemplate which of Jobs' innovations had the most significant impact on their lives, celebrating his legacy as a transformative figure in technology and beyond.

Keywords

💡Adoption

Adoption refers to the process where a person assumes the parental rights over a child not their own by birth. In the context of the video, Steve Jobs was put up for adoption as a baby, which is a significant part of his personal narrative. His adoptive parents, Paul and Clara Jobs, played a crucial role in shaping his future by promising to pay for his college education, a promise that influenced his path to becoming a tech genius.

💡Innovation

Innovation is the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay. Steve Jobs is celebrated as a pioneer of innovation, particularly in the field of technology. The video highlights his role in creating revolutionary products like the iPhone, which transformed the smartphone industry.

💡Macintosh

The Macintosh, often abbreviated as Mac, is a line of personal computers developed by Apple. The video mentions the release of the Macintosh in 1984, which was a landmark moment for personal computing with its graphical user interface and mouse. Despite initial high prices and limited capabilities leading to underwhelming sales, the Macintosh became symbolic of Jobs' vision for personal computing.

💡NeXT Computer

NeXT Computer was a company founded by Steve Jobs after he left Apple. The video describes how Jobs founded NeXT with the aim of creating workstations for education and business. Although not commercially successful, NeXT computers were technologically advanced and influenced the future of computing.

💡Pixar

Pixar is an animation studio that Steve Jobs bought and transformed after leaving Apple. The video recounts how Pixar initially struggled but eventually became successful with the release of 'Toy Story,' the first full-length computer-animated film. Pixar's success made Jobs a billionaire and revolutionized the animation industry.

💡iMac

The iMac is a series of personal computers designed and built by Apple. The video highlights the iMac's role in Apple's resurgence in the late 1990s under Jobs' leadership. With its distinctive design and user-friendly interface, the iMac became a hit, selling over 6 million units and helping to restore Apple's financial health.

💡iPhone

The iPhone is a smartphone designed and marketed by Apple. The video emphasizes the iPhone's introduction in 2007 as a 'magical product' that combined a mobile phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator. The iPhone's revolutionary touch interface and app ecosystem redefined the smartphone industry and consumer interaction with technology.

💡iPad

The iPad is a tablet computer designed by Apple. Introduced in 2010, the iPad created a new product category, as described in the video. Initially met with skepticism, the iPad soon gained popularity and became a significant contributor to Apple's revenue, illustrating Jobs' ability to identify and develop successful product categories.

💡Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. In the video, it is mentioned that Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. His battle with the disease and unconventional treatment choices are highlighted, ultimately affecting his health and life.

💡Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. The video discusses Jobs' lack of involvement in philanthropy compared to other tech leaders. His decision to close Apple's charitable programs upon his return in 1997 reflects his belief in focusing on making the company profitable as the best way to help society.

💡Reality Distortion Field

The term 'Reality Distortion Field' is an idiom used to describe the charisma and persuasive abilities of Steve Jobs. As mentioned in the video, Jobs had an uncanny ability to convince others of the possibility of the impossible, which was instrumental in driving his teams to achieve ambitious goals and in promoting Apple's products.

Highlights

Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, claiming it would reinvent the phone.

Jobs' path to success was long and arduous, starting from a boy put up for adoption to becoming a tech visionary.

Steve Jobs built and lost Apple, only to return and save it from collapse.

Jobs had a contradictory personality that both fascinated and repelled those around him.

Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco to unwed student parents who put him up for adoption.

Jobs' adoptive parents promised to pay for his college education, influencing his future.

Jobs grew up in Silicon Valley, absorbing a love for technology and design from his surroundings.

Jobs felt like an outsider in his family, which fueled his desire for self-realization.

Jobs was an exceptionally gifted but difficult student, often getting expelled from schools.

Jobs and Steve Wozniak created 'blue boxes' to make free long-distance calls, their first business venture.

Jobs dropped out of Reed College but continued to audit classes that interested him.

Jobs experimented with LSD and traveled to India, experiences that expanded his consciousness.

Jobs and Wozniak founded Apple Computer in 1976, starting with the Apple I computer board.

The Apple II was the first personal computer with color graphics and a built-in keyboard.

Apple's 1980 IPO made Steve Jobs a multimillionaire at the age of 25.

Jobs' management style was characterized by a quick temper and harsh tactics.

Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985 after a power struggle with then-CEO John Sculley.

After leaving Apple, Jobs founded NeXT Computer and bought the computer graphics division that became Pixar.

Pixar's 'Toy Story' was the first full-length computer-animated film, making Jobs a billionaire.

Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, leading a radical restructuring and focusing on innovation.

The iMac's release in 1998 helped restore Apple's financial position.

Jobs led the launch of the iPod in 2001 and the iTunes Store in 2003, revolutionizing the music industry.

The iPhone, introduced in 2007, had a revolutionary touch interface and app ecosystem.

Many of the iPhone's innovations were based on existing technologies that Jobs refined and popularized.

Jobs' personal life included a period of denying paternity of his first child and a later commitment to family life.

Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2003, which he initially treated with alternative methods.

Jobs resigned as Apple's CEO in 2011, and he passed away later that year at the age of 56.

Jobs' legacy includes not only specific products but a changed attitude towards technology as an extension of personality.

Jobs' approach to business emphasized obsession with one's work and a belief in one's own ideas.

Transcripts

The year is 2007. San Francisco is buzzing  with anticipation. Crowds of journalists and  

tech enthusiasts have gathered outside  the Moscone Center. Inside, on stage,  

stands a man in a black turtleneck and jeans. He  holds in his hands a device that will change the  

world. "Today, Apple reinvents the phone,"  he says, and the room erupts in applause.

This man is Steve Jobs. A visionary, a  marketing genius, and a driving force  

in the world of technology. He  didn't just create products – he  

shaped the future. But the path to this  moment of triumph was long and arduous.

Today, we'll tell the story of a boy put  up for adoption who became one of the most  

influential people in the tech world. We'll  learn how Jobs built and lost the Apple empire,  

only to return and save it from collapse.  We'll uncover his contradictory personality,  

which both fascinated and  repelled those around him.

Are you ready to discover what lay behind the  legendary presentations and innovative products?  

Then buckle up. This story will not only change  your perception of the man who changed the world,  

but it will also make you think about the price  of success and the boundaries of genius. Perhaps,  

in the end, you'll ask yourself:  was Steve Jobs' path the only way to  

achieve such heights? Or his methods are  a cautionary tale for future innovators.

Steven Paul Jobs was born on February 24, 1955,  in San Francisco. His biological mother, Joanne  

Schieble, was a young, unmarried graduate student,  and his father, Abdulfattah Jandali, was a Syrian  

graduate student. Unprepared for parenthood  and facing resistance from Schieble's family,  

they decided to put their baby up for adoption  at the San Francisco Children's Home Society.

Joanne initially wanted her son to be adopted  by a couple with a college education. A lawyer  

and his wife were supposed to take  the child, but at the last moment,  

they refused, deciding they wanted a girl.  This is how Steve ended up in the family  

of Paul and Clara Jobs, a working-class  couple from Mountain View, California.

Joanne initially refused to sign the adoption  papers when she learned that neither Paul nor  

Clara had a college degree. She only agreed  after the Jobs made a written promise to pay  

for Steve's college education. This promise would  play a key role in shaping the future tech genius.

Steve's childhood was spent in Silicon Valley,  which didn't yet bear that iconic name. The area  

was filled with engineers and technicians working  on cutting-edge electronic devices. Little Steve,  

observing the work of his father,  who was a mechanic and carpenter,  

absorbed a love for technology and design. This  environment, combined with the promise of his  

adoptive parents to give him a higher education,  laid the foundation for Jobs' future innovations.

Steve Jobs' relationship with his  adoptive parents was complex and  

multifaceted. Paul and Clara Jobs  showered Steve with love and care,  

but the fact of his adoption always  remained an essential part of his identity.

Jobs knew about his adoption from early childhood.  His parents were honest with him about this,  

which, on the one hand, helped to avoid a  traumatic "revelation" later in life. On  

the other hand, this knowledge instilled in young  Steve a sense of "otherness" and some alienation.

Jobs' feeling of being "chosen" was connected  to the fact that his parents told him how  

carefully they had chosen him. This created a  feeling in Steve that he was a "special" child,  

specifically chosen by his parents.  However, this also raised questions  

about his biological parents and the  reasons why they had given him up.

The duality of feelings – being both "chosen"  and "rejected" – created an internal conflict  

that Jobs carried throughout his life. This was  reflected in his character, shaping both his  

striving for perfection and recognition, and  his sometimes harsh attitude towards others.

Despite the love of his adoptive parents,  Jobs often felt like an outsider in his  

family. His intellectual abilities and interests  differed significantly from those of his parents,  

which amplified his sense of alienation.  This internal struggle largely determined  

his desire for self-realization  and finding his place in the world.

At school, Steve proved to be an exceptionally  gifted but difficult student. His intelligence  

and charisma often turned into problems.  He was bored in class, played pranks,  

and was expelled from several schools. "I  was a real pain in the ass," Jobs recalled.

A turning point came when his  fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Hill,  

saw potential in the troubled student. She  bribed Steve, offering him $5 for every math  

problem he solved. This approach worked, and  Jobs began to study with renewed enthusiasm.

In his teenage years, Steve developed an interest  in electronics and computers. He attended lectures  

at Hewlett-Packard after school, where he met his  future Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak. They were  

united by their love of electronics and pranks.  In 1971, when Jobs was 16 and Wozniak was 21,  

they created "blue boxes" - devices the size  of a deck of cards that generated special tones  

to trick the telephone system and make free  long-distance calls. These devices, based on  

a schematic published in Esquire magazine, were  illegally sold to students for about $150 each.  

Jobs and Wozniak sold about 100 such devices,  which became their first joint business venture.

After graduating from high school in 1972,  Jobs enrolled at Reed College in Portland,  

Oregon. However, he dropped out after  one semester, deciding that it was  

too expensive for his adoptive parents  - $58,000 per year. Nevertheless,  

he continued to attend classes that interested  him, including a calligraphy course,  

which later inspired him to create  multiple fonts for the first Macintosh.

During this period, Jobs experimented with  LSD, believing that this experience was "one  

of the two or three most important things  in his life." He was looking for new ways  

of self-expression and understanding himself,  which led him to study Zen Buddhism and travel  

to India in search of enlightenment.  These experiences not only expanded  

his consciousness but also shaped his unique  worldview, which was later reflected in his  

approach to design and business. Jobs believed  that psychedelics helped him see the world from  

a new perspective, which contributed to  his creativity and innovative thinking.

Upon returning to California, Jobs  got a job as a technician at Atari,  

where his task was to simplify the circuitry of  the popular game Breakout. He involved his friend  

Steve Wozniak in the work, without mentioning  the $100 bonus for each chip eliminated, which  

eventually amounted to $5,000. Jobs told Wozniak  that they were paid only $700 and gave him $350.

Wozniak, working almost without sleep,  created a circuit using only 45 chips,  

which significantly exceeded  Atari's expectations. However,  

Jobs, striving for quick profit, did not share  the whole truth about his income with him.

This episode was the first manifestation  of Jobs' complex character, his tendency  

to manipulate and his ability  to benefit from the situation,  

which later became a characteristic feature of his  management style and interaction with partners.

1976 was a turning point in Steve Jobs'  life. Together with Steve Wozniak,  

they founded Apple Computer in Jobs' parents'  garage. Their first product, the Apple I,  

was essentially a computer board that buyers  had to place in a case themselves and connect  

to a monitor and keyboard. The idea to create  the company arose after Wozniak demonstrated  

his creation at the Homebrew Computer Club, and  Jobs saw the commercial potential in this device.

Jobs proved himself a natural entrepreneur.  He organized a demonstration of the Apple I  

for Paul Terrell, owner of the local electronics  store The Byte Shop. Terrell liked the idea of  

a fully assembled computer board, although  he would have preferred a fully assembled  

computer. Despite this, he placed an order  for 50 computers at $500 each, with payment  

upon delivery. This was the first major order for  Apple and a key moment in the company's history.

To fulfill the order, Jobs mortgaged his  Volkswagen microbus, and Wozniak sold his  

beloved HP-65 scientific calculator.  They assembled the first batch in 30  

days, working almost around the  clock in Jobs' parents' garage.

The success of the Apple I inspired Jobs and  Wozniak to create the Apple II - the first  

personal computer in an elegant plastic case with  color graphics. This product revolutionized the  

market for several reasons: it was the first fully  assembled personal computer with a color display,  

had a built-in keyboard, and could be  connected to a regular TV. In addition,  

the first "killer app" was developed for the Apple  II - the VisiCalc spreadsheet program, which made  

the computer attractive for business and led  to explosive sales growth. These innovations  

and ease of use made Apple the industry leader,  surpassing competitors like Commodore and Tandy.

Rapid sales growth and profit attracted  the attention of investors. By 1980,  

Apple's revenue reached $117 million,  making the company attractive for  

an initial public offering (IPO). On  December 12, 1980, Apple held its IPO,  

issuing 4.6 million shares at a price of $22 per  share. The shares were sold out within minutes,  

and by the end of the trading day, their price  had risen to $29, making the company worth $1.778  

billion. As a result of this IPO, 25-year-old  Steve Jobs, who owned 7.5 million shares,  

became a multimillionaire overnight  with a fortune of over $217 million.

However, success had a downside. Jobs became known  for his quick temper and harsh management style.  

By 1983, Apple employed around 1,000 people, and  Jobs ran the company with ruthless intensity.  

He could fire an employee in an elevator for not  giving an enthusiastic enough answer to a question  

about a current project. His perfectionism  bordered on obsession: he could make the team  

rework a product at the last minute because  of a shade of color or the curve of the case.

In 1983, Jobs poached John Sculley from Pepsi-Cola  to become Apple's CEO, uttering the famous phrase:  

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life  selling sugared water, or do you want to come  

with me and change the world?" This move  would later prove fatal for Jobs himself,  

as Sculley, initially brought in to  bring corporate management experience,  

would eventually become a key figure in  Jobs' removal from the company's leadership.

1984 was marked by the release of the Macintosh  - a computer that defined the future of personal  

computers with its graphical interface and  mouse. The "1984" commercial, shown during the  

Super Bowl, became a classic of the advertising  industry. The 60-second commercial, directed by  

Ridley Scott, depicted an Orwellian world where  the Macintosh was presented as a liberator from  

conformity, personified by IBM. The culmination  of the commercial was the moment when an athletic  

woman smashes a screen with a hammer depicting  "Big Brother," symbolizing the destruction of  

the old order. However, despite the Macintosh's  innovativeness and the success of the advertising  

campaign, the high price and limited capabilities  of the first Macs led to disappointing sales.

Disagreements between Jobs and Sculley grew  against the backdrop of falling Macintosh  

sales and Apple's deteriorating  financial position. Jobs insisted  

on lowering the price of the Macintosh  and increasing the marketing budget,  

which could undermine the company's  profitability. Sculley, on the contrary,  

believed it was necessary to cut costs and  focus on the more profitable Apple II line.

The conflict reached its peak in May 1985. Jobs,  

learning about Sculley's plans to reorganize the  company, attempted to stage a coup to oust Sculley  

as CEO. However, his plan failed when  Sculley found out about it and called  

an emergency meeting of the board of directors.  At this meeting, the board sided with Sculley.

On May 17, 1985, Sculley and the board of  directors stripped Jobs of all managerial  

authority, leaving him only the ceremonial  position of chairman of the board. For the next  

few months, Jobs was in limbo, formally remaining  with the company but having no real influence.

Finally, on September 13, 1985, Jobs resigned  from Apple. He sold all his shares in the company,  

except for one, which he kept so he  could attend shareholder meetings.

This was a heavy blow for Jobs. In his 2005  Stanford University commencement speech,  

he recalled this period: "I had been  fired from the company I started. What  

had been the focus of my entire adult life  was gone, and it was devastating. I really  

didn’t know what to do for a few months. I  felt that I had let the previous generation  

of entrepreneurs down – that I had dropped  the baton as it was being passed to me."

After leaving Apple, Jobs didn't give up.  He founded a new company, NeXT Computer,  

aimed at creating workstations for education  and business. Although NeXT computers were  

not commercially successful due to their  high price — the initial cost was $6,500,  

and in retail it reached $9,999 — they  were technologically advanced. The high  

price was due to the use of quality components,  innovative design, and the powerful NeXTSTEP  

operating system. On one of these computers,  Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web,  

which ushered in a new era on the internet. The  World Wide Web is a system of interconnected  

hypertext documents accessed through  the internet, which made information  

more accessible and revolutionized the  way people communicate and exchange data.

In parallel with NeXT, in 1986, Jobs bought the  computer graphics division from Lucasfilm for  

$10 million, transforming it into Pixar.  Initially, the company was engaged in the  

production of high-performance computers  for 3D animation, but after a series of  

failures associated with high cost and limited  demand, it focused on creating animated films.

1995 was a turning point for Jobs.  Pixar released "Toy Story" — the  

first full-length computer-animated film,  which grossed $373.5 million worldwide on  

a budget of $30 million. This success not  only made the film the highest-grossing  

in 1995 but also led to Pixar's stock,  which went public on November 29, 1995,  

rising almost fourfold, making  Jobs a billionaire. As a result,  

Pixar earned significant funds, and by 2019 its  feature films grossed about $14 billion worldwide.

At the same time, Apple was going through hard  times. The company was losing money and market  

share. In search of a new operating system,  Apple turned its attention to NeXT. In 1997,  

Apple bought NeXT for $429 million, and  Jobs returned to the company as interim  

CEO. John Sculley had left the position  in 1993. He later expressed regret about  

how things turned out and acknowledged that  Jobs was a key factor in Apple's success.

Jobs' return marked the beginning of a new era  for Apple. He carried out a radical restructuring,  

canceling most projects and focusing on creating  innovative products. The first successful product  

was the iMac, released in 1998, which featured a  bright design and ease of use. The iMac became a  

hit, selling over 6 million units and contributing  to the restoration of Apple's financial position.

Jobs also entered into an important  partnership with Microsoft when Bill  

Gates invested $150 million in Apple, which  stabilized the company. This decision caused  

dissatisfaction among loyal Apple fans  but helped strengthen the financial base.

In the following years, Jobs led the  digital revolution with the launch of  

the iPod in 2001 and the iTunes Store in 2003.  The iPod became the best-selling music player,  

with over 400 million units sold by 2014, and  the iTunes Store changed the music industry,  

providing easy access to millions of tracks.

Thus, Jobs' return to Apple not only saved  the company from collapse but also led to the  

creation of a number of successful products that  shaped the future of technology and entertainment.

### Revolution in Your Pocket:  Innovation and Borrowing

2007 was marked by the release of the  iPhone - a device that Jobs called  

a "magical product." The iPhone  combined a mobile phone, an iPod,  

and an internet communicator. Its revolutionary  touch interface and app ecosystem changed not  

only the smartphone industry but also  how people interact with technology.

The first iPhone was equipped  with a 3.5-inch touchscreen,  

a 2-megapixel camera, and had 4 or 8 GB of  internal memory. It ran on the iOS operating  

system and included the Safari browser  for web browsing. An important feature  

was integration with iTunes, which  made it easy to synchronize content.

However, when talking about the iPhone's  innovations, it's important to note that  

many ideas were not entirely original. The concept  of a touchscreen already existed. Apple acquired  

Fingerworks in 2005, which was already developing  multi-touch technologies. The icon-based interface  

resembled existing PDAs, especially devices  running Palm OS. The idea of combining a  

phone and a player was implemented in earlier  devices, such as some Sony Ericsson models.

The iPhone presentation became a classic of  the genre. Jobs masterfully created tension,  

gradually revealing the capabilities of the  device. When he demonstrated how you could  

scroll through the contact list with one finger,  the audience erupted in applause. "Did you get  

that? I just used my finger!", exclaimed Jobs,  emphasizing the innovativeness of the interface.

The iPhone's success was phenomenal.  270,000 devices were sold in the first  

weekend. By 2010, the iPhone accounted  for almost 40% of Apple's revenue,  

and the company became the most  valuable technology firm in the world.

In 2010, Jobs introduced the iPad - a tablet  computer that he said filled the space  

between a smartphone and a laptop. Despite  initial skepticism (many compared the iPad  

to a large iPhone), the device quickly gained  popularity, creating a new product category.

It's important to note that the idea of a tablet  computer was not new either. Microsoft and other  

companies had been experimenting with this  concept for years. However, Apple managed to  

create a product that found mass acceptance thanks  to its user-friendly interface and app ecosystem.

Jobs and Apple were often accused of  borrowing ideas and technologies. For  

example, the Macintosh's graphical interface was  inspired by developments at Xerox PARC. However,  

Jobs' supporters argue that his genius  lay not in inventing from scratch,  

but in the ability to see the potential  

of existing technologies and turn them into  mass products that are convenient for users.

Ultimately, while many of Apple's ideas  weren't entirely original, the company,  

under Jobs' leadership, was  able to refine, integrate,  

and bring them to market as revolutionary  products that changed entire industries.

Steve Jobs' personal life was no less complex  and contradictory than his career. In the 1970s,  

Jobs had a romantic relationship  with Chrisann Brennan, whom he met  

in high school at Homestead High. Their  relationship was turbulent and unstable,  

they often broke up and got back together. In  1978, Chrisann gave birth to a daughter, Lisa.

Jobs, however, denied paternity for several  years, even despite a positive paternity  

test. This decision was connected to his  complete immersion in working on Apple and,  

possibly, unpreparedness for fatherhood  at such a young age. He named the Lisa  

computer after his daughter but  publicly denied this connection,  

claiming that the name was an acronym for  "Local Integrated Software Architecture."

Jobs' and Brennan's relationship finally  broke down shortly after Lisa's birth.  

Jobs was completely focused on the development of  Apple, and Brennan was left alone with the child,  

forced to rely on social assistance.  Despite Jobs' financial success,  

he provided minimal support for his  daughter and ex-girlfriend for a long time.

Only years later, already in a relationship with  Laurene Powell, Jobs began to build a relationship  

with Lisa. He acknowledged his paternity  and became more actively involved in his  

daughter's life. Lisa even lived with the Jobs  family for some time during her teenage years.

In 1989, Jobs met Laurene Powell at a lecture  he gave at the Stanford Graduate School of  

Business. Their relationship developed rapidly,  and in 1991 they married in a Buddhist ceremony  

in Yosemite National Park. The couple had three  children: a son, Reed, and daughters Erin and Eve.

Despite his public persona in business, Jobs  tried to keep his family out of the media  

spotlight. He rarely spoke about his family life  in interviews and tried to shield his children  

from excessive press attention. This desire  for privacy was perhaps a reaction to his  

own experience as a public figure and a desire  to give his children a more normal childhood.

In 2003, Jobs was diagnosed with a  rare form of pancreatic cancer - a  

neuroendocrine tumor. Despite doctors'  recommendations for immediate surgery,  

Jobs tried to treat himself with alternative  methods for 9 months. His decision was driven by  

several factors. Jobs had long been a vegetarian  and believed in the power of natural remedies. He  

was also wary of invasive medical procedures  and wanted to avoid surgery. In addition,  

Jobs was known for his "reality distortion  field" - the ability to convince himself and  

others of anything, which may have affected his  assessment of the seriousness of the situation.

Among the alternative treatments that  Jobs used was a strict vegan diet with  

an emphasis on freshly squeezed juices and  so-called "superfoods." He also resorted to  

acupuncture and other methods of traditional  Chinese medicine. Jobs experimented with  

hydrotherapy and other spa treatments,  consulted with psychics and healers.  

Psychological therapy and meditation played an  important role in his approach to treatment.

This decision may have cost him his  life. When he finally agreed to surgery,  

the cancer had already spread. Doctors later  noted that if Jobs had immediately agreed to  

the operation, his chances of recovery  would have been significantly higher.

Despite his illness, Jobs continued to lead Apple,  appearing in public increasingly emaciated. His  

obsession with work did not weaken even in  the face of death. In 2009, he underwent a  

liver transplant in Memphis, Tennessee. This  operation caused controversy, as many believed  

that Jobs used his wealth and influence to  obtain the organ faster than would have been  

possible for an ordinary patient. Despite the  complex operation and a long recovery period,  

Jobs continued to work on new Apple products,  including the iPad, which was released in 2010.

On August 24, 2011, Jobs resigned as  CEO of Apple, handing over the reins  

to Tim Cook. In his farewell letter, he  wrote: "I have always said if there ever  

came a day when I could no longer meet my  duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO,  

I would be the first to let you know.  Unfortunately, that day has come."

Steve Jobs died on October 5, 2011, at the age of  56. His last words, spoken on his deathbed, were:  

"Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." What exactly he saw or  realized in his last moments remained a mystery.

Jobs' personality was full of contradictions.  He possessed a unique gift of foresight,  

the ability to anticipate the future  of technology and create products  

that people didn't yet know they needed.  This ability was the result of a combination  

of several factors. Firstly, Jobs had a  deep understanding of human psychology  

and needs. He intuitively felt that people  want simplicity and elegance in technology,  

even if they themselves had not yet  realized it. Secondly, his broad outlook,  

which included interests ranging from calligraphy  to Zen Buddhism, allowed him to see connections  

between seemingly unrelated areas and apply these  ideas in technology. Finally, his experience in  

various technology companies gave him a unique  understanding of the industry and its trends.

However, this same personality could  be cruel, selfish, and manipulative.  

These character traits were largely due to his  pursuit of perfection and his conviction that  

he was right. Jobs believed that only he knew  what was best for consumers and the company,  

and he was willing to do anything to bring his  vision to life. His perfectionism often led to  

harsh demands on employees and partners, and  his charisma and "reality distortion field"  

allowed him to manipulate people, convincing  them of the possibility of the impossible.  

This same self-confidence sometimes bordered on  selfishness, when Jobs ignored the opinions of  

others and insisted on his own way, even  if it harmed relationships or business.

Former Apple employees often recalled  Jobs' outbursts of anger and his tendency  

toward public humiliation. He could  not hesitate to call someone's work  

"complete shit" in front of the entire  team. His pursuit of perfection often  

bordered on tyranny. There is a known  case when he forced a team of designers  

to redesign the iMac case overnight just  because he didn't like the shade of blue.

His attitude toward charity also raised many  questions. Unlike other tech billionaires,  

such as Bill Gates, Jobs was not known for his  philanthropy. When he returned to Apple in 1997,  

one of his first decisions was to close  all the company's charitable programs.  

He argued that the best way to help  society is to make Apple profitable.

Jobs' influence on the world of technology  is difficult to overestimate. He didn't  

just create products - he shaped culture.  The iPhone changed not only the smartphone  

industry but also how we communicate, work,  and entertain ourselves. Under his leadership,  

Apple transformed from an ordinary technology  company into a true symbol of lifestyle. People  

were willing to stand in line for hours  to be the first to buy the new iPhone or  

iPad on release day. Apple products became not  just gadgets, but symbols of status and style.

Jobs had a revolutionary impact on several  industries at once. In the field of personal  

computers, the Apple II and Macintosh made  computing accessible to ordinary people. In  

the world of animation, Pixar, under his  leadership, created the first full-length  

computer-animated film, forever changing  the film industry. In the music industry,  

the iPod and iTunes Store revolutionized the way  music is distributed and consumed. The iPhone set  

a new standard for smartphones, and the iPad  created a completely new category of devices.

Jobs was also an unsurpassed master of  marketing and presentations. His speeches  

at Apple conferences became legendary.  He could create incredible hype around  

a product with just one phrase, as he did  with the iPod: "1000 songs in your pocket."

The life of Steve Jobs offers a  number of important lessons for  

entrepreneurs and innovators. His approach  to business and creativity demonstrates the  

importance of continuous self-improvement and  a willingness to challenge established norms.

Jobs taught us the importance of focus. He  believed that success comes from being able  

to say "no" to a thousand things in order  to focus on what really matters. This was  

reflected in the simplification of Apple's  product line after his return to the company.

Another key lesson from Jobs is the  importance of creating a superior user  

experience. He believed that technology should  not just be functional, but also intuitive,  

even beautiful. This led to revolutionary  changes in the design of consumer electronics.

Jobs also emphasized the importance of an  interdisciplinary approach. He believed that  

true innovation occurs at the intersection  of technology and the humanities. This  

principle was at the heart of his approach  to product development at Apple and Pixar.

Finally, Jobs taught us the importance  of passion in work. He often said that  

the only way to do great work is to love  what you do. This philosophy helped him  

overcome numerous obstacles and  failures on the road to success.

Steve Jobs was a figure who not only  changed the world of technology but  

also left an indelible mark on the culture of  our time. His life was full of ups and downs,  

triumphs and defeats, but each stage of this  journey shaped the legend we know today.

Jobs was not perfect. His character  was often described as complex and  

contradictory. He could be ruthless in  his decisions, selfish in his actions,  

and cruel in his words. But these same  traits, combined with his indomitable  

passion for innovation and perfection, allowed  him to create products that changed our world.

From the first Apple computer assembled in a  garage to the iPhone that changed the way we  

interact with information, Jobs always strived to  ensure that technology was not just functional,  

but also beautiful, intuitive, almost magical.

His approach to business was as innovative as  his products. Jobs understood that to create  

truly great things, it's not enough  to just do your job well. You need  

to be obsessed with it. He demanded  perfection from himself and others,  

and although this path was not always  easy, the results spoke for themselves.

Perhaps Jobs' greatest legacy is not any  particular product or invention, but how  

he changed our attitude towards technology.  He showed that they can be not just tools,  

but an extension of our personality, a  means of self-expression and creativity.

In his famous speech to Stanford graduates  in 2005, Jobs said: "Your time is limited,  

so don't waste it living someone else's life."  These words, perhaps, best reflect Jobs'  

philosophy. He lived by his own rules, followed  his vision, and ultimately changed the world.

The story of Steve Jobs is not just  a success story. It's a story about  

the importance of believing in your ideas,  even when the whole world doubts you. It's  

a story about the power of innovation  and how an obsession with perfection  

can lead to the creation of products that  change the lives of millions of people.

And now we would like to hear your  opinion. What aspect of Steve Jobs'  

personality do you think played the  biggest role in his success? His vision,  

his pursuit of perfection, or perhaps  his ability to inspire others? And did  

his childhood influence who he became, or  was it genes, a gift, or other factors?

Do you believe that Jobs' management  methods, despite their controversy,  

were justified by the results he  achieved? Or do you think that  

the same results could have been  achieved with less harsh methods?

And finally, which product or innovation of  Steve Jobs had the greatest impact on your life?

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channel. Your comments help us create  content that you find interesting,  

so feel free to share your thoughts in the  comments below. See you in the next episode!